Venezuela vakantie

Ervaar Venezuela

For those looking to experience the culture of Venezuela, Caracas is a must-visit. The country"s capital holds many regional festivals and boasts some of amazing museums. There's also no end of arts and crafts markets here, making it a great place for shopping. Caracas is also home to the Universidad Central de Venezuela Stadium, where visitors can catch a baseball game.

Visitors looking to escape the urban jungle and see some wildlife can head to one of the most famous rainforests in the world, the Amazon Rainforest. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to a vast array of flora and fauna, with new species being discovered all the time.

The country also boasts stunning beaches on its Caribbean coastline, Playing home to 600 incredible offshore islands. With sandy beaches and turquoise waters, the coast is a popular tourist spot. Margarita Island and Los Roques are both popular destinations, but it's hard to find a bad place along this stretch.

Coro was originally the first capital of the country after emerging from the collapse of grand Colombia in 1830. As a result, the city is rich with colonial architecture; so much so that the historic downtown area is considered a Cultural World Heritage site.

Los Llanos in the north-east of the country is a stretch of plains that is well known for its wildlife. This region floods during Venezuela"s rainy season, turning the plains into wetlands. Due to this flooding, the area supports a huge range of wildlife, including a plethora of water birds. Day trips out to enjoy jeep safaris and boat tours can easily be arranged, giving visitors an insight into this natural landscape. Tours offer the opportunity to see caiman crocodiles, fluorescent scarlet ibis and Orinoco dolphins, perfect for tourists looking to get back to nature on holidays to Venezuela.

Need to know

The official language in Venezuela is Spanish and is the first language of more than 95 per cent of the population. Spanish is spoken in its Venezuelan form here, and there are also many indigenous dialects, but these are rarely spoken outside of the Amazon region. While English isn’t commonly spoken, it is now taught as a compulsory subject in Venezuela’s equivalent of secondary school and also in universities. The younger generation living in the big cities tend to speak basic English, and many people within the tourist industry have a basic grasp of the language due to the influx of English-speaking visitors. As such, you should have no problem conversing in popular tourist areas on Venezuelan holidays. However, a Spanish phrasebook would still be a useful tool for everyday travelling and would be appreciated by locals.

Currency

The official currency of Venezuela is the bolivar (BsF). The boliva is strictly controlled, making it hard to exchange. However, many banks and some bureaux de change exchange US dollars, sterling and euros. There are many illegal money changes which offer fluctuating exchange rates but tourists are advised to stick to the banks when exchanging money. All banks have ATMs which accept foreign cards. Changing bolivar into other currencies can be difficult, so relying on card and carrying minimal cash is advised on package holidays to Venezuela.

Visas

A stamp for a 90-day stay in Venezuela is issued on arrival to citizens of the United Kingdom. Officials will simply ask visitors the purpose of their visit and a tourist card will be issued. Anyone travelling for business or work purposes will need to obtain an appropriate visa before arrival.

Climate

Thanks to the country's proximity to the equator, the average temperatures vary little throughout the year. The exception to this is in the mountain regions, which can see temperatures as low as 15°C in the peaks. However, most of Venezuela is low lying, with temperatures remaining between 21°C and 29°C all year round.

Main Airports

Simón Bolívar International Airport, also known as Maiquetia Airport, is the main international airport in Venezuela. Located just outside of the capital of Caracas, this is the main destination for the majority of European flights. International flights do run to Maracaibo and Valencia, but services to these airports are limited and can be more expensive. Buses frequently run from the airport to the city,

Flight Options

There are currently no direct flights from London to Venezuela; however, several airlines fly directly to mainland Europe. Venezuela also has numerous daily flights from North America, meaning it is possible to fly to New York and then on to Venezuela. French carriers fly direct to Caracas from Paris while Italian airlines fly from both Rome and Milan.

Travel Advice

Flying with a budget airline to Charles de Gaulle, Paris, then taking a direct flight to Venezuela is advisable. Flying direct to New York from London and then onto Venezuela means more options regarding flight dates, but is usually the most expensive way of getting here. Booking early is advisable. From the airport, there is a free bus into the capital which runs until late, so although taxis are available, they are not always necessary Venezuela holidays.

Other Transport Options

Because roads link Venezuela with both Colombia and Brazil, driving into the country is an option to tourists. Border controls are strictly enforced and border control officers frequently search vehicles. It is also possible to get a bus across the border, but such buses wait at immigration while all passengers' passports are stamped.